Halfpenny poised to join Scarlets

Wales and British & Irish Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny is set to sign with Scarlets in a deal partly funded by the Welsh Rugby Union.

This, after Bath and Wasps both distanced themselves from rumours last week linking him with a move to the Premiership.

It appeared that neither side was willing to meet Halpenny's wage demands, which reportedly saw him earning 600,000 Euros a year at previous club Toulon.

The 28-year-old spent four seasons at the Top 14 finalists but is now out of contract after the Southern France side opted not to renew.

But now, according to The Times, Halfpenny appears to have chosen Scarlets over Cardiff Blues, the region he left for France in July 2013.

And it appears the region will be helped out by the WRU, who will pay 60 percent of his salary. However, Scarlets have declined to comment at this stage.